Why Are Jeeps So Unreliable
It will interest you to know that Jeeps often get bad reviews and are not among the list of reliable vehicles because of a variety of issues.
Notwithstanding, the myriad of issues depend on the model of the Jeep and its warranty.
Research shows that most of the latest Jeep models have fewer issues since they have been built to encompass the features that the older models didn’t have.
If you’re looking to buy a secondhand (older) Jeep model or a brand new Jeep, read through this article to find out why they are so unreliable, so you’ll be able to decide whether or not to buy it.
20 Reasons Why Jeeps Are So Unreliable
1. Poor safety rating
Most jeeps have a very bad rating and poor reviews from users. This rating goes to prove that many Jeep models don’t have the necessary components (and parts) to ensure the safety of their users.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler, for instance, is one of the Jeep models with a low safety rating of 50% for the person driving the vehicle and 49% rating for those on the road. It’s risky buying a vehicle that doesn’t have a good safety rating.
2. Bad road drivability
No doubt, Jeeps are among the best vehicles with a low cost that’s most suitable for off-road performance.
However, they are not so good when it comes to road drivability.
In addition to the poor road drivability compared to other vehicle manufacturers, Jeeps guzzle gas excessively.
3. Small Storage Space
You’ll most probably think that Jeeps have a large storage space because of how huge they look, but, the opposite is the case.
If people are occupying each seat in the Jeep, then, there will be little space left, especially in Jeep Wranglers.
It’s quite sad that people will be excited knowing that Jeeps are quite affordable and have excellent off-road performance, but have little storage space for extra tires, gear, and more.
If you’re planning to go for an off-road adventure, then, a Jeep should be the least on your list.
4. No Side Mirrors or Doors
You most likely may think Jeeps are the best since the Jeep Wranglers look so cool and sporty without doors, making it suitable for off-road adventures during dry weather seasons.
However, most Jeeps have their side mirrors on the door. If you’re going to be using the Jeep for your adventure, you’ll have to take off the mirror and replace it after your off-road sojourn.
Since there’s no other way to fix this issue, Jeeps are not just the best choice.
5. Gas Guzzling
Jeeps are very unreliable when it comes to fuel efficiency. This makes maintaining a Jeep expensive since you’ll have to refill your fuel tank almost every day as a worker.
The poor fuel efficiency of Jeeps and high gas consumption increases the maintenance and purchasing costs of a Jeep.
6. Low Acceleration Rate
The huge size of Jeeps causes them to have a poor acceleration rate when compared to other vehicles.
The low acceleration rate of Jeeps could slow down ignition when trying to climb rocky slopes and steps. Also, you could experience difficulty when stuck in traffic.
7. Jeeps are Noisy
One of the common issues that affect the terms of reliability of Jeeps is the noisiness of the interior mostly caused by the lack of airflow inside the vehicle.
8. Bumpiness
With Jeeps, you’ll most likely always have a bumpy ride. Even though bumpiness is normal when driving off-road on uneven surfaces, your driving experience as a daily driver will not be enjoyable.
Generally, brick roads cause Jeeps to bounce, thereby causing the drivers to have a bad driving experience. Therefore, it’s better to settle for another vehicle rather than a Jeep.
9. Poor Steering Response
Jeeps’ unreliability is also caused by its stiff steering response. Most times, you’ll need extra muscle while on the steering wheel, and this isn’t safe while driving on the road (especially on the highway).
It’s best to go for a vehicle with responsive steering, so your safety and that of other road users will be ensured. Besides, you’ll need a vehicle with smooth steering to enjoy an excellent road adventure.
10. Limited Seats
Most Jeep models are unreliable because they have just a few seats. Most times, the second row is often very crampy.
Therefore, this isn’t suitable for family driving or a whole camping adventure with a large number of people.
11. Lack of Insulation
Jeep Wranglers, in particular, don’t have insulated roofs, thereby causing the vehicle to be extremely cold or extremely hot depending on the weather condition.
If you intend to use a Jeep for daily driving, then, you’ll most likely regret your decision.
12. Poor Windshield Wiper Response
During rainy seasons, the windshield wipers of most Jeep models are usually not visible. Most times, they stop halfway in the middle of the screen, distracting the driver and posing a possible danger.
13. High and huge
Some Jeep models are high, thereby making them unreliable for passengers or people who have difficulty in going in and out of a high vehicle.
14. Impossible to see the back of the Jeep
Since it’s very difficult to see the back of the jeep, it’s not so safe to drive a jeep on the road.
Plus, tall drivers find it more difficult as the rearview mirror is not always positioned to fit their height, making the rearview mirror useless.
In addition, when there’s additional equipment such as a spare tire or detached roof attached to the back of the Jeep, visibility becomes even more difficult.
15. Unequal dealerships and few trained mechanics
There are just a few mechanics who can properly fix a Jeep when it develops faults. It can be quite disappointing to need work done on your Jeeps and not find a well-skilled mechanic to fix the issues for you.
However, most dealerships have skilled mechanics who have undergone training for the type of vehicle model that they service, but that is not the case for most Jeep manufacturers.
Besides, many customers have complained of constantly having bad service from different Jeep model dealerships compared to other brands.
16. Susceptibility to Exhaust Leaks
Most of the older Jeep models (especially those made before 2009) have issues with their exhausts, thereby causing Jeep unreliability.
The exhaust leaks cause fuel wastage and stains on the driveway, thereby causing increased expense on fuel.
However, the good news is that you could fix the issue by replacing the manifold.
17. Clogged Fuel Injectors
Many Jeep models often have clogged fuel injectors. The clogging occurs when deposits congest the injectors and disrupt free fuel flow.
This clogging of fuel injectors causes issues like idling, misfires, and engine stumbling.
18. Throttle Position Sensors Often Fail On Jeeps
This failure of the throttle position often affects the engine of the Jeep.
When the throttle is clogged with deposits, it stops the sensor from functioning properly, thereby affecting the engine operation, and leading to issues such as stalls or hard starts.
This issue is common in almost all Jeep models, including the newest ones.
Interestingly, this issue could be fixed by regular cleanings of the sensor to prevent the deposits from congesting, or total replacement of the sensor.
19. Susceptibility to Water Leaks
Jeeps have issues with their window seals and doors, as they are not always properly tightened, causing water leakage into the cabin of the vehicle.
The water leakage can trigger other issues such as mold growth or electronic faults on the dashboard.
20. Malfunctioning Electronics
Jeeps use the Totally Integrated Power Module to control all the electrical parts of the vehicle. Unfortunately, this module often malfunctions.
The module malfunction causes the horn of the Jeep to start blaring or honking without control. Also, it causes the doors to lock and unlock on their own.
Sometimes, the power windows roll down and up by themselves. All of these are very dangerous, especially while driving.
However, the control module (Totally Integrated Power Module) can be replaced at a shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
In sum, Jeeps are not among the dependable vehicles as they have a poor dependability rating. There’s no doubt that they were sometimes reliable when they were used as military vehicles.
But, that is no longer the case for so many reasons.
However, one could consider buying a vehicle, not because of whether it is reliable or not, but because of the prestige and heritage of the brand.
If you’re looking to buy a highly reliable SUV, then, a Jeep should be the least on your list.
In addition, I’d you’re considering buying a used Jeep that no longer has a warranty, then you should carry out in-depth research.
In the research, you should find out the issues that will most likely occur and if they’ve already been fixed by the previous owner.
Lastly, whatever your decision is, make sure it’s best for you.
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